February 2019 Issue 22
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Welcome to the February Issue of Local Living We have some lovely local businesses in this month and some fantastic news stories. Who doesn’t love those! Get yourself out in the garden this February. There are some fab tips , as always, from Malcolm on page 6. Finances and accounts are always something I back away from at great speed but Deborah at Swift Books is fabulous at taking the worry away. Her details are below. Why not get in touch for a chat. For the March issue we will have a bumper mix of Mothers Day, Easter and Spring so, if this is the issue for you, to advertise in please get in touch soon.
Tracy Leach, Editor
At Swift Accounts My aim is pretty simple: To Save You Time – so you can do something more interesting or profitable than bookkeeping
To Save You Tax – with good common sense planning and not dodgy ‘get rich quick’ schemes Lifes too short!! - Let me deal with your accounts, VAT, payroll, tax returns… Stop worrying!! – I can help protect you from the unexpected Swift Accounts based on the outskirts of Lowton, is small enough to care, but professional enough to push every business to its full potential. Established 15 years ago as a “bit of a hobby”, it has grown from strength to strength. The portfolio of clients range from sole traders through to limited companies. Swift Accounts is a progressive firm which firmly commits to providing a friendly, reliable service to each and every client. YOU and YOUR business are a priority. If it’s important to you then I will solve your query.
REMEMBER - NO question is a stupid question!!
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Thursday 7th February sees us launch our Freefood February event at the Travelodge at 9.15am. It’s going to be a big celebration of the stroke of genius behind Food Optimising that makes losing weight at Slimming World sooooo incredibly easy- Free Food!! Please come and join us and discover how much you can really eat and lose weight We will have some fabulous tasters in group for you to enjoy . This is what our members eat Helen has lost 3stone eating yummy Winter warmers and free food favourites like casseroles ,cottage pie & soups. No calorie counting, no restriction. eat fab food and lose weight. Marie, who achieved, target said fish, chips & mushy peas helped me along the way! Busy mum and Woman of the Year Alison says spaghetti bolognese is a firm family favourite with loads of extra speed. There will be taster sessions in all groups week commencing 3rd February.
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CARING FOR CARE HOME RESIDENTS A CONFERENCE on delivering excellent palliative and end of life care for care home residents will be held by Wigan and Leigh Hospice in March. ‘Living and Dying Well in a Care Home’ will focus on the knowledge and skills needed to care for residents who are nearing the end of their lives. It will also explore how to enable individuals with a palliative condition to lead a full life. The conference will be held by the Hospice in your Care Home team which currently works with 11 of the Borough’s 21 care homes. For the past 3 years the team have been delivering training to care home staff in how to care for residents with palliative and end-of-life care needs. Debbie Dempsey, Manager of the team, said: “Care homes provide a significant amount of palliative and end of life care, so it is vital that staff are adequately trained in how to provide the best possible care for their residents. This conference will highlight some of the innovations in end of life care taking place in care homes and make recommendations on how staff can support residents to lead a full life, which reflects their preferences and wishes. “We are fortunate to be joined by some exceptional speakers including Dr Peter Fenwick who will speak on the fascinating subject of deathbed visions and Dr Ann Johnson MBE, a care home resident who will describe her personal experience of dementia.” The national conference will be chaired by Tracey Bleakley, the CEO of charity Hospice UK, and will also feature presentations by National Clinical Director of Older People at NHS England, Dr Martin Vernon who will discuss his work in Frailty Care. Musician Mary Dunsford will speak about the importance of music at the end of life and Cath Barton will present a session on the Community Circles project operating in the Borough. The one-day event will take place on Wednesday 13th March at Leigh Sports Village. The conference will be of interest to anyone who may provide support to care homes or work with individuals with palliative and end-of-life care needs, including care home owners and staff, GPs, social workers, District Nurses and hospital trust staff. Further information is available at www.wlh.org.uk. Alternatively please contact the Hospice in your Care Home team at Wigan and Leigh Hospice on 01942 525566 or email:hiych@wlh.org.uk.
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A couple of years ago I bought a Clematis cirrhosa Freckles and planted it to grow over an arch with a climbing rose. It is a small flowered variety that blooms in winter and this year it has flowered continuously from early November and it is destined to keep flowering perhaps into February. The small bell-like flowers are off white with lovely purplish markings and the arch is smothered in them. Highly recommended. And February is the perfect month to get one planted. It will grow through other shrubs, such as lilac or mock orange, which are boring in winter, on a sunny trellis or fence or wall (give it some support). Plant a bit deeper than it is in the pot and keep watered if we have a long dry spell. This is also a great time to plant roses and other shrubs, fruit trees and bushes. After planting, give them a mulch of garden compost, leaf mould, or the commercially produced compost made from green bin collection. Those of us who grow vegetables will sow seeds this month of things like onion, summer cabbage and cauliflower, tomatoes and lettuce indoors, using an incubator. I turn one side of our conservatory into a propagating room for this, as my greenhouse has no heater. But besides heat, seedlings need plenty of light. It may be worth buying some LED lighting if your propagating room does not get most of what little sunshine there is in late winter. Also keep your seed potatoes in a light, frost-free place so that they ‘chit’: produce short, strong shots from the eyes on the tubers. I like to plant in two large tubs three seeds potatoes of a first-early variety (this year I am going back to Arran Pilot), keep them in my propagating room and we eat our first crop a month earlier than the first garden crop. Delicious!
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Try to get most of your pruning finished by the end of this month: fruit trees and bushes (but NOT plums and damsons), hydrangeas, roses and so on. I would leave buddleias until mid March. Try to open up these with your pruning: cut to an outside facing bud, remove any branches that are growing into the centre or branches that are crossing. In straight ish stemmed plants (such as hydrangeas and black currants) every year take out about a quarter of the older stems, for these flower and fruit better on the long growth of younger stems. This is also the time to cut back to ground level your autumn fruiting raspberries, which fruit on this year’s growth (unlike summer fruiting varieties that fruit on last year’s growth). Give them all a winter wash spray and a good feed of something like blood, fish and bone fertiliser. Have you cleaned out your greenhouse? Do it now, using Jeyes Fluid as a sterilising agent. New off the press: from 2020 slug pellets containing metaldehyde will be banned because of the damage they cause to wildlife. And enjoy your spring bulbs and hellebores. If you grow the later, remove all leaves just before the first flowers open. The display is then great...and they grow new leaves afterwards.
Malcolm Greenhalgh
Newton-le-Willows Gardeners’ Association Advice & Sales Hut, on Rob Lane (off High Street) is open Saturday and Sunday mornings. All welcome.
MLSgardenservices
QUALITY LANDSCAPING GARDEN MAINTENANCE LAWN CARE AND JET WASHING
*NEW SERVICE FENCE AND DECK SPRAYING*
01942 731302 / 07927960281 MLSgardenservices
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Hi, my name is Lucy Thorrington and I have been the Instructor at the Kumon Lowton Study Centre for the last four years I also work in Warrington Borough as a Primary School Teacher. Working in education is my passion and although my teaching and instructing roles differ, helping children reach their full potential and develop confidence in their own abilities will always be my favourite part of my job. I am now a mum to Lyla and Lennon, and as a parent, I am keen to provide them with opportunities that will help develop their skills, not only in the classroom but in all areas of their lives. I was a Kumon student myself. I initially enrolled onto the Kumon Maths Programme due to a lack of confidence in the subject when I started high school. Not only did Kumon study help me thrive academically, but it also boosted my confidence and equipped me with the tools needed to support other children. Kumon does not provide tuition in the traditional sense. Rather than teaching our students, we place great importance on self-learning and encourage them to learn as individuals, helping them develop independent learning strategies to successfully complete new, unfamiliar work. Kumon’s individualised programmes enable students to progress at their own pace, so they are able to realise their unlimited potential and achieve success. With guidance and support, Kumon students acquire study skills such as speed, accuracy, time management, concentration and problem-solving. I am always surprised by how much my students grow in confidence once they realise that they can solve problems they once found difficult. If you would like to find out how Kumon can benefit your child, come along to our open events and find out more about our two-week Free Trial that will run between 21 February and 15 March 2019. Or call me on 01942 518346.
Open events
Saturday 9 February and Saturday 2 March 2019 from 10am to 12pm at The Community Room, Leigh Tesco Extra We are based at Lowton C. of E. High School and we will be including an additional class day in Leigh Centre in the near future. Our new Saturday class will start April 2019, 10am to 12pm.
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Monday Men wanted for Parkside Colliery Male Voice Choir. Meet every Monday at 7:30p at Congregational Church, Hilton Street. Ashton www.parksidecollierymvc.co.uk 2nd & 4th Monday of month Coffee & craft at Lowton IM Church, Newton Road, Lowton. 1:30-3pm. Come for tea and cake and learn a new craft or just have a chat. Everyone welcome. Third Monday of the month Leigh & District Antique and collectable society. From Sept-March at 7:30pm (except December for Christmas outing) at Leigh Rugby Union Club, Hand Lane. New member & visitors welcome. Different speakers each month. Contact Colin on 01942 673521 or find us on facebook. Tuesday MemorabLEIGH every Tuesday 1-3pm at the Old Grammar School in Railway Road, Leigh (in the same block as Oceans Eleven Chippy). The group is aimed at anyone over 50 who wants to talk about their life in Leigh and/or the history of the town. Each week we discuss a different topic. £4 per session which includes refreshments. If you are interested in joining email contactus@healthyarts.org.uk or phone Martin on 07542 114383 Tuesday 8pm The Three Towns Operatics Society rehearse at Tyldesley Methodist Church, Elliott Street, Tyldesley M29 8JE For more information contact Ursula Lightford on 01942 6670287 www.threetowns.net Last Tuesday of the month 7:30pm. Community room, Manor Court. Have your say about what is happening locally and help improve our area. All welcome. Wednesday The Paperback Writers meet at 10:30-12:30 at The Coffee Stop in Railway Road, Leigh. You don’t need to be experienced just keen to develop and share your work, and a sense of humour! During the workshops, led by local writer Julie McKiernan (www.juleswriter.co.uk), you will receive feedback on your writing and learn how to apply different styles and techniques in practical writing exercises. £6 per session. Email juleswriter@hotmail.com for further information. Wednesday Leigh Community Choir meets 7:30-9pm at The Turnpike Gallery above Leigh Library WN7 1EB. It’s £2.50 per session and everyone is welcome! Wednesday LGN Choir rehearse every Wednesday evening at 7:30-9:30pm at Cross Lane United Church in Newton-Le-Willows. Enquiries should go via our website which is www.lgncc.co.uk Thursday 8:30-12. Coffee & chat Lowton St Mary’s, Newton rd.
Thursday Lowton and Golborne art group meets every Thursday at Leigh and Lowton Sailing Club from 10 till 4 and enjoy not only the freedom to express their artistic talents but also engage socially with other members with similar interests.
Second and fourth Friday of the month
Knit and natter held in St Luke’s church on Slag Lane. 2-4pm. Lots of chatting and cup of tea and a biscuit 50p towards costs.
Third Wednesday of the month
Leigh Arthritis Care Support Group meet every 3rd Wednesday in the month at Kingsleigh Methodist Church Community Building, free car park for those attending the meeting to rear of church in Cook Street off Railway Road. 1.30-4pm Supporting people with arthritis, family and carers with information, support and a warm welcome. Contact John 01942 704704.
Fourth Wednesday of the month
Golborne & District Townswomen s' Guild meet at Northfield Court, Lowton Rd. Golborne from 7pm. - 9pm. We provide speakers, and social activities. Please contact Avril on 01942 726 033 for further details.
First Thursday of the month
Lowton WI will hold their first meeting of the new year on the first Thursday in February at 7.15 pm at Lowton Social Club on Newton Road. If anyone is interested and would like to start the New Year with a new interest please contact Lin Hayes on 01942 207764 for details and to arrange a visit. .
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The Co-op, from Rochdale Pioneers to Member Pioneers I have been appointed as the Co-op Member Pioneer for Culcheth and Lowton food stores and Ashton in Makerfield and Pennington Funeralcare. The Co-op is putting members in control of where they invest in their local community, as part of a community network based around our food stores and Funeralcare. As a Co-op member, when you spend money on Co-op branded goods you get 5% for yourself and1% for your Local Community Fund. Money from carrier bag sales also goes into the Local Community Fund. Money from the Local Community Fund is split between three local causes. Our local causes at the moment are: The Golborne & Lowton Co-operative Learning Partnership Wigan & Leigh Young Carers Ashton, Wigan District YMCA As a Co-op member you can choose which cause receives your 1%. Overall, since November 2017 our members have raised £19 million pounds for local causes The local cause application process for the next round of funding will open again in Spring 2019. To be eligible to apply you must have a project in mind that will benefit your local community. Many applications are from charities or local community groups, but as long as your organisation isn’t run for private profit you can apply. I work 16 hours a month and plan my work by creating a local community plan developed by Co-op colleagues, local causes and local members. I hold a community forum every quarter to review the plan and to plan what’s next. The next community forum is on Monday January 14th, 7-8pm at Culcheth Sports Club. If anyone has any questions or wants to get involved in building this local community plan, please contact: cindy.kelly@coopmembers.co.uk . I have also set up a Facebook group: Co-op Community Cluster Ashton-inMakerfield, Culcheth,Lowton,Pennington.
The Co-op group has its origins in the co-operative consumer societies started by the Rochdale Pioneers in 1844. In 2017 the Co-op introduced a new role, the Co-op Member Pioneer, to connect members, colleagues and communities to make a difference.
Make your Tokens Count at Asda Golborne
Golborne Morris Dancers Help to get new uniforms for the 2019 season
Byrchall High School
To help host an event each year for the local elderly residents.
Golborne Parkside ARLFC Under 7’s To help fund new training equipment
On New Years Day at 12pm over 50 men and boys took part in a football memorial tournament for one of their friends who sadly passed away in November. Paul Hickey (56) originally from Harvey Lane, Golborne & latterly a regular in the Shepherds Inn, Lowton, played football on the all weather pitch at Golborne Sports Club, Stone Cross Lane, Lowton twice a week for the last 20 years Sadly missed by all his friends, They thought they would try to honour his name and arrange a get together on the pitch on New Years Day. Instigated by Greg Evans, a fantastic turn out enjoyed by all, saw 10 matches take place, with a presentation with Pauls widow Jackie, mum Dot and sister Jan, followed by a raffle which raised an incredible £500. Jackie is to donate this to all the nurses at Salford Royal for their caring nature and hard work. Thanks to a lot of the lads who helped out and Catherine who opened the club up at short notice. A unanimous decision to make this an annual event was agree same time next year! If anyone would like to join the Friday night kickabout feel free to come along to play 7pm
Lowton West Residents Meeting Residents in Lowton West (west side of Slag Lane and adjacent roads including Scott Road estate) have decided to form a non-political neighbourhood group to discuss local issues and work together to improve our area. A Constitution has been agreed and a committee formed with all posts being filled by volunteers. Meetings will take place on the last Tuesday of each month, 7.30pm in the Community Room at Manor Court and elected representatives will be invited along regularly to address residents concerns. Why not come along and find out what is happening in our local area and make some new friends?
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Double glazed units? Unsightly marks between the glass? Replacement units can be changed in quick, quick time. *no fuss *no mess *all work guaranteed. Free quotes and advice. Ring anytime on 07413 917964. OAP work welcome.
ARCHITECT SERVICES
Lowton based architect for your property conversion designs including submission to local authorities for planning and building regulation consideration. Excellent service with quality drawings at competitive prices. Ring Gavin Pinion at Goldcrest Design Services Ltd on 01942 729832 or 07958102874
DECORATING SERVICE
deluxe decorating We offer a high standard of painting and decorating work at competitive rates, we are reliable and fast. Call for a free quote 07592411219. Find us on FB /deluxedecorating or email kieranturley8@gmail.com
ROOFING
Time served roofer. (25 yrs exp). All roofing and gutter repairs from a broken tile to a full re roof. Insurance work undertaken, special rates for OAP’s. Call Alan on 01942 576183 or 07930 110031 for free estimate
UPHOLSTERY DESIGNS
Atlas Upholstery Design Services. Specialist in the re-upholstery of Settees, Easy Chairs, Dining Chairs etc. Headboards recovered and made to order. Spring repairs etc. Do you need new foam cushion? Pubs, Clubs, Caravans recovered etc. 40 years In the trade. Workmanship guaranteed. Free Estimates. Call David on 01942 729978 www.atlasupholstery.co.uk
DRIVING INSTRUCTOR
Make 2019 your year to pass. M.S.M Established 1989. Driving Lesson. No passengers. Nervous pupils welcome. Discounts for students and unemployed. Patient and reliable. Excellent pass rate. 01942 603108
ELECTRICAL SAFETY CERTIFICATES
City and guilds qualified electrician with over 20 years experience in testing and inspection. Landlord safety certificates, buying/selling houses, insurance compliance. Excellent service at very competitive prices. Call Neil on 07563302290 or email njtelectrical@sky.com
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